Myrmidon

American  

[mur-mi-don, -dn] / ˈmɜr mɪˌdɒn, -dn /

noun

plural

Myrmidons, Myrmidones

1. Classical Mythology. one of the warlike people of ancient Thessaly who accompanied Achilles to the Trojan War.

2. (lowercase) a person who executes without question or scruple a master's commands.

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Myrmidon British  

/ ˈmɜːmɪˌdɒn, -dən /

noun

1. Greek myth one of a race of people whom Zeus made from a nest of ants. They settled in Thessaly and were led against Troy by Achilles

2. (often not capital) a follower or henchman

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Etymology

Origin of Myrmidon

Middle English, from Latin Myrmidones (plural), from Greek Myrmidónes; Myrmidon def. 1 first recorded in 1425-75, and Myrmidon def. 2 first recorded in 1625-50

Explanation

A myrmidon is someone who will do whatever you say. A schoolyard bully often has a myrmidon for a best friend — someone who is sure to never point out that it's wrong to hassle other kids. To pronounce myrmidon correctly, say "MUR-muh-don." A celebrity who hates it when people challenge her ideas probably has only myrmidons for friends. A myrmidon can also be specifically someone who unquestioningly carries out the violent orders of a boss. The word originated with the Greek Myrmidones, the followers of Achilles during the Trojan War, who were said to have been transformed into men from ants, which in Greek is myrmex.

Example Sentences

Yet, the longlisting of Eng's previous book five years ago led to Myrmidon starting to be taken seriously as a force to be reckoned with.

From The Guardian • Oct. 10, 2012

He would surely agree, as his panel has this year chosen a Booker shortlist on which half the titles come from tiny independents: Salt, And Other Stories and Myrmidon.

From The Guardian • Sep. 26, 2012

Three of the longlisted titles are published by tiny independent presses: Salt, which publishes Moore, And Other Stories, which publishes Levy, and Myrmidon Books, which publishes Eng.

From The Guardian • Jul. 25, 2012

The Myrmidon spearfighters returned, they say, under the son of lionhearted Akhilleus; and so did Poias’ great son, Philoktetes.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

Myrmidon, mėr′mi-don, n. one of a tribe of warriors who accompanied Achilles to Troy: one of a ruffianly band under a daring leader: one who carries out another's orders without fear or pity.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Related Words

• companion
• comrade
• disciple
• follower